Blow for hockey

Updated: October 7, 2009

South African women’s hockey has lost its SPAR sponsorship.

The supermarket giant announced┬á Wednesday that it was ending its sponsorship of women’s hockey at the end of the year. Group Marketing Director Roelf Venter said the decision had not been an easy one, but that the retail group has decided to support a rural poverty alleviation programme.

ÔÇ£We have enjoyed our relationship with hockey, and women’s hockey in particular, over the last 15 years, and we wish them well in the future,ÔÇØ Venter said.

ÔÇ£However, we have decided that as a food company, we should become involved in a programme of hunger relief, particularly in the rural areas, where the need is so great in these difficult economic times. We will soon be announcing details of this programme.ÔÇØ

South African Hockey Association (SAHA) president Dave Carr said South African hockey was sad to bid farewell to such a loyal and long-serving friend and sponsor.

ÔÇ£We nevertheless wish to extend to SPAR our most sincere gratitude for the immense contribution they have made to women’s hockey since 1995,ÔÇØ Carr said.

ÔÇ£Whilst we regret that SPAR will no longer be able to share in the promise of a bumper international programme, we are confident that what lies ahead for SAHA would indeed be of tremendous interest and benefit to potential new sponsors who would be keen to align themselves with South African hockey and its exciting future.ÔÇØ